The American Legion a U.S. Veterans Association. Paul. Unlike a more conventional squadron, a submarine squadron commander and his staff always remain in home port, and are responsible only for the training, equipping and administering of the ships under its umbrella. [CDATA[ One I hope to come back and visit someday! I only wished I hadn't Complained all the time and had been a better cook. Jesse,Thanks for your service and thanks for writing.Paul. . It was the home base of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 14, part of Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Americans became active participants in many community related events. Commenting has been disabled thanks to the attention of scum known as spam commenters, Page last modified on Wednesday, 08 March 2017, at 12:20. Paul. From Plank Owners (1963) to the Decommissioning Crew. Here the sons of adversity meet the children of calamity, and here the children of calamity meet the offspring of sin.Herman Melville (18191891), People run away from the name subsidy. My oldest son was born there. NEVER FOUND ANYTHING AS GOOD. Paul, thanks for sharing and this story sure has legs!!! My time in the holy loch I returned to Greenock Scotland in 1976 where I have been living for over forty years, Dennis,Thanks for writing and have a pint for all of us.Paul, My name is David Erdman My first command was the USS Hunley it was assume having my 18th birthday in Scotland at the harmony bar and sundowner I was abopted by a local family and stayed there until I transferred to the USS Iowa, Hi nice to read your comments about Holy Loch Site drove buses to and from site many memories of the trips made with ERP workers from all the shipyards also Captain Bump who travelled on the bus from Bairds garage to site. After over 44 years I still live here in Dunoon. However, the British authorities pointed out that this was a Saturday, and the ship's arrival at the weekend would allow a large number of protesters and demonstrators to travel to Dunoon, and persuaded the Americans to bring the arrival forward by one day, to Friday, March 3. Also tony and marc. The 1982 film Who Dares Wins (motto of the Special Air Service [SAS]), starring Lewis Collins, features the Holy Loch as the intended target of a militant anti-nuclear group which takes over the residence of the American ambassador. Nice hearing all these replies. I had the good fortune to return in Feb. '66 for assignments on the I was outside the EM club in 1975 when I heard an unmistakable South Philly accent. Many readers will be familiar with the American Nuclear Submarine Base that existed here for just over 30 years. Does that sound like Holmes?Thanks for writing.Paul, thanks for getting back to me Paul. Holy Family Hall, Rm 205. Steve Newstrom E Division USS Saratoga CVA-60. I agree, Site One played a key role in the Cold war.And yes, like you, I'm proud of my service at Site One on the Saugus.Thanks for writing.Paul, Yes I was on board three submarines that ran out of holy loch. JB, Good to hear from another Holy Loch vet. Scotland named cruise destination of the year! Take care and I appreciate your article. Well I was a junior electrical merchant so I didn't actually do much in the way of Co ordination. google_ad_type = 'text'; I was a ping jocky aboard the USS Hartley, a destroyer escort. We will be on stand 1635. In January 2014, declassified state documents opened and placed in the National Archives at Kew, revealed that the MoD had supported proposals which could have seen a royal visit take place at the American base: THE Queen Mother was banned from visiting an American nuclear base in Scotland, newly released files have revealed. MY name is Sonny Morrison, but I went by Spanky. The plot was largely based on the Iranian Embassy Siege of 1980, in which the SAS stormed the building to rescue the hostages being held there. (I can't recall the name). HOME. Paul. The number of submarines supported by SUBRON-14 varied over the years, however an indication of the scale of the operation can be seen in the number of patrols carried out. Paul. However, Sir Paul Gore-Booth, the head of the diplomatic service, rejected the proposal, fearing that it could generate enormous controversy and potentially put the Queen Mother at risk. The pub was "PJ's' that everyone gathered with all the fine Dunoon ladies. We arrived in '62 and lived in a lovely house on Cromlech Road called Benthead. later the USS Patrick Henry (SSBN 599) arrived, and Proteus commenced the first I did not have any idea that Scotland is so beautiful. I was not a member of ship's crew but was on there with my band of Spooks. I believe it would have been about 1970. love the pictures and the article. He wrote back, stating: The present time, with the Vietnam controversy heightened by the current Vietcong offensive and a consequent increase in criticism in Britain of American policies, hardly seems propitious for advising the Queen Mother to make a gesture of this kind. His enthusiastic reception left him strongly of the opinion that we should seize every opportunity to show our appreciation of the massive United States effort in this part of the deterrent field. I also enjoyed visiting the Scottish pubs. Others were Faslane, the channel between Largs and Cumbrae, Rosneath Bay, and Rothesay Bay. Did four refits on boats out of Comsubron 14. I was there from zJan 82 to Sept 83 on Hunley. WHAT A SURPRISE. Site Info Whois Traceroute RBL Check Site Info Who Is Trace Route RBL Check What's My IP? From 1961--1992, it was used as a US Polaris nuclear submarine base. November 1, 1960 Harold Macmillan, the British Prime Minister, announced that there would be an American nuclear base on the Clyde. Dennis,Interesting. At Holy Loch Inn, you may order tasty biscuits. Assistant Registrar of Academic Services. At beginning of the 20th century the Loch was home to some sections of the Reserve Fleet. The first two were moored in the Holy Loch, with the the third lying in the Kyles of Bute, near Rothesay. Rumours circulated that the Depot Ship had to be moved because she was moored on top of a mountain of discarded beer cans! I remember the USS Skipjack coming in and also Canadian and Australian boats also .As we who were fortunate know Scotland is a beautiful country,and is on my bucket list to return !! It would be so special if I could gather some of his Navy buddies. Actually spent a Christmas with them and her parents were wonderful and took me all over Scotland. Don't wait to give a tax-deductible donation that helps our nation's heroes! No automated processing by advertising systems is permitted. During World War II, the loch was used a submarine base. At this time, my friend Richard and myself decided to form an association so we established the Holy Loch American Veterans Association (HLAVA). The Hunley was tender at this time. was completed by USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN 658). I remember the Woolworth store and a little tobacco shop with good candy jars. I remember watching the Proteus slip down the Firth of Clyde during the Cuban Missle Crisis and wondering if it was going to come back. google_ad_height = 60; The monument has become a focal point for American personnel who served at the US Submarine Base which was located there for 31 years, until 1992. It was the home base of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 14, part of Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Hey anonymous, pulled in to the Hunley November of 86 on the Rickover, what was the nearest town where sailors would go for a pub, remember getting a pint 'o the heavy, had the BEST fish n chips there too! Since GST was granted SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) status on 27th June 2019, the board of trustees and project coordinator have worked hard to fulfil their role within the community. The workload was tough but when I could get away, I'd head to Stirling. Served on the USS George Washington SSBN 598 made 6 patrols out of the Loch.Memories of Dunn and Argyle will remember always.We went in to the dry dock on one up keep. woman relaxing in nature. I went to the local primary and secondary school with many Americans and I have always felt a connection No matter where you go in the world theres always someone with a Dunoon story or memory. Its uncanny. Thanx for sharing, I was a US kid from 1986-1990 there. Mr. Black was the electrician. THE SHIP USS SIMON LAKE (AS 33) SUBMARINE TENDER Builder: U.S. Jon Elkins, hi anon, I am trying to trace an American couple based there in 1969, they provisionally adopted 2 girls from Glasgow social works dept in 71 and promptly took them to America.would you know of any of the americans were doing this. As I child I used to stay in Kilmun and watch the ship and submarines. In 1992, the USS Simon Lake sailed down and out of the Firth of Clyde - the occupation was over. He served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. I cant ask him because its a surprise party! Leslie Williams, sisterinlaw of John P. Shannon USN. Bought woolen gifts for my 2 sisters and mother. Great memories!! The guy was a fellow South Philly guy who worked a the Navy Yard and was TDY to Holy Loch.Thanks for checking in.Paul. Join Navy Veterans. Hi I married a sailor off the Natick in may 1967.Went to live in Detroit with my husband in 1970 We both returned back to Scotland in 1980 and still live in Glasgow We have been married 44yrs. . Was chief Holmes there when you were he was tough but you know how that goes. to base a refit facility and it was decided in July 1960 that Holy Loch should Moira is fascinated by the history ceramics and has travelled extensively to research traditional pottery techniques. A land where the whiskey is strong and the people are friendly. So many fond memories of the Scottish people, they are amazing. My sister and I used to find it very interesting and Dunoon was a lovely place too. - holy loch stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The US Navy had originally planned for Proteus to arrive on March 4. She has since married from someone on the tender but I stayed friends with her parents all the way into the early 90's. Bloomfield, CT 06002. I served on the drydock from 1966-1969. In March 1992, the last US Navy ship, the submarine tender USS Simon Lake, sailed out of the Holy Loch, ending thirty one years of American presence in the area. Discus upcomming reunions that are Holy Loch wide and not specific to a command. What a bummer. I remember A.J. Short visit. assembled in six months. Subscribe to this Obituary Your Email Address (Required) Tribute Wall American children received their education in primary schools in Dunoon, Kirn, Sandbank and St Munns, then in Dunoon Grammar School when they were older. Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound, Bremerton, Washington Contract Award Date: 08/08/1962 Keel Laid: 01/07/1963 Sponsors: Mrs. H. Diamond & Mrs. Cecil Ford Launch Date: 02/08/1964 Commission Date: 11/07/1964 A fictionalised version of the operation was later told in the 1955 film The Cockleshell Heroes, with Trevor Howard, Anthony Newley and Jos Ferrer. Mary T. Loch. During the Cold War the U.S. Navy base at Holy Loch was the headquarters of Submarine Squadron 14 (COMSUBRON 14). It seemed at times you could see all four seasons before you walked from one end of the pier to the other. Empowering Servicemembers and disabled Veterans by giving them access to information on education, employment, housing, nutritional and spiritual wellness, medical care information, respite care, Veteran mobility van assistance, and job training and career coaching. While these stories are often found expanded in greater detail, all are vague and none can be related to documented records which can be cited as reference sources, and are mentioned here for that reason, as there seems to no verifiable history of the name. We used to dance in the Harmony pub and I would give anything for fish and chips from Elselmos chippy on church street, thanxcathy. This message board is for former shipmates of CSS-14 who would like to discuss having a reunion or discuss how a recent reunion went . Chuck,Interesting background. American Veterans Care Association achieves this vision by investing donations and revenue to develop sustainable . Support Activity. Paul, I think your piece on Holy Loch was excellent. a delightful country. Lazaretto Point was the site of a quarantine station, built in 1807 the station was installed to prevent the importation of disease along with the bales of cotton arriving by boat. We all should be proud of our duty there. This place is well known for its great service and friendly staff, that is . Garelochhead Station Trust provides information, support, training and social opportunities for veterans and their families, of all ages. 2800 submarine docking operations. Hunley was my first duty station in 87, I reported in Charleston and I was sent to Holyloch onboard the Simon lake as part of the early crew of the supply dept. The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization aimed at advocating patriotism across the U.S. through diverse programs and member benefits. Site 1 Holy Loch Reunion. Approximately one mile across, the loch extends inland for between two and three miles the west, depending on the tide. While there we drove just a few miles up the road to Benmore Botanic Garden and discovered a whole new side of Scotland that I never knew about when I was there for the few weeks every 3 months as we turned over or took over the sub (USS Lewis & Clark SSBN 644 Blue). A large war memorial in the form of a round tower is sited on Lazaretto Point. To make maximum usage of its submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deterrent force, American military had determined that it required an overseas base for refit and crew turnover. I wouldn't have any problem living there after my retirement. Nice article Paul, I was on the USS Natick 1969-1971 and saw both the Simon Lake and Canopus exchange duty stations. Following an approach to the British government, requesting permission to establish a refit site in the United Kingdom for Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarines, an agreement was negotiated which permitted the US to use the Holy Loch, on the Firth of Clyde, for the anchorage of a submarine tender, a large dry dock, and other supporting craft. Now live in Newark, De. Distance: 3.3 mi. I arrived on the USS Canopus in 1973 then went to the USS Holland and finally to the USS Hunley from where I retired in 1987. and the Firth of Clyde was one of the Royal Navys major submarine areas. The helping hand that AMVETS extends takes many forms: The families and supporters that stand behind our AMVETS members play a vital role in the growth and preservation of our organization. Strange to see no evidence of a sub base. Thanks so much. The Next Reunion Will Be Held 12 May 2011 In Norfolk, VA Web Site Information :. All personnel lived ashore, residing in rooms or homes rented from members of the local community. Went back to Scotland for the first time this past summer both the people in Gourock and Dunoon were absolutely the best, brought back many memories. I have heard many stories of his time in Holy Loch. For one of those days I joined a one day tour of the Scottish Highlandslovely. An average of 3,500-4,000 Americans were attached to the Holy Loch at any one time but that did not always mean a lot of money went into the local community. The big guy who was a 1st Class BM? The Ministry of Defence hoped the high-profile visit would act as a demonstration of British gratitude for American military support and shore up the special relationship between the two countries. Mary T. Loch, 66, of Milford, beloved wife of the late Raymond Loch, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 25, 2022. . All I have to say is what a beautiful place to be stationed and to this day its crazy on how much I still miss it . FAQs | FIND A POST | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY POLICY Copyright AMVETS National Headquarters. //-->, , "Stop Spam Harvesters, Join Project Honey Pot", //